Jacqueline Gold: "Only the Conservatives have the long term economic plan this country needs" (Source: Getty)

The so-called queen of the sex shop, Ann Summers boss Jacqueline Gold is throwing her weight behind the Conservatives ahead of this year's general election.

Gold appeared on the front row of the press conference held yesterday in which chancellor George Osborne rubbished Labour's spending pledges by claiming they were £20m over budget.

She may be famous for having introduced the Rampant Rabbit to the UK, but Gold is also one of the UK's top business leaders, and the 16th-richest woman in the country.

Although it is not yet clear how she will support the campaign ahead of the May 7 vote, she said it was “essential” that the Conservatives were in power.

Gold said: “I have always been a supporter of the Conservative Party and was proud to support the event yesterday.

“As a British businesswomen I believe that only the Conservatives have the long term economic plan this country needs and that it is essential that David Cameron is returned to Downing Street after the general election to deliver it.”